The exhibition showcases forty-eight exquisite paintings and coloured drawings from India’s Himalayan kingdoms, created between 1620 and 1830. Juxtaposing canonical masterpieces with never-before-seen works, the collection reveals the ingenuity of artists who skilfully blended local and transregional traditions. The artworks are celebrated for their intricate details and vibrant, stylised visuals, crafted with opaque watercolours made from ground pigments, beetle wings and even gold. Challenging traditional art histories, the exhibition explores the impact of artistic collaboration on creativity during this period. It invites visitors to appreciate the boldness of abstractions, the nuances of love and the many clever, humorous and awe-inspiring details that define these treasured examples of Indian painting.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art — “Of the Hills: Pahari Paintings from India’s Himalayan Kingdoms”
